EX308L00000300T000 - Exocor 308L Stainless Steel Welding Wire Consumable

Technical Overview of Exocor 308L Stainless Steel Wire

The Exocor 308L is a premium stainless steel welding consumable designed to meet the rigorous demands of industrial fabrication. Classified typically under AWS A5.9 or A5.22 depending on the specific form (solid or flux-cored), this alloy is engineered for joining 18% Cr / 8% Ni austenitic stainless steels, most notably AISI 304 and 304L. The 'L' designation indicates a restricted carbon content, capped at 0.03%, which is critical for minimizing the risk of carbide precipitation during the welding process. This feature preserves the corrosion resistance of the grain boundaries in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), making it suitable for as-welded applications where post-weld heat treatment is not feasible.

Metallurgically, the wire composition includes chromium (19.5-22.0%) and nickel (9.0-11.0%), providing a stable austenitic microstructure with a controlled ferrite number (FN). The presence of a small amount of ferrite is essential to prevent hot cracking during solidification. This balance makes Exocor 308L an excellent choice for high-integrity structural welds in chemical processing environments, cryogenic vessels, and food manufacturing infrastructure. The consumable exhibits high tensile strength (typically exceeding 80 ksi) and excellent ductility, ensuring reliable performance under mechanical stress.

Operators should utilize Direct Current Electrode Positive (DCEP) for optimal arc stability and penetration profiles. Shielding gas selection varies by process; for solid wire MIG (GMAW), a tri-mix of Helium/Argon/CO2 or an Argon/O2 mix is common, while TIG (GTAW) utilizes 100% Argon. Proper storage in a humidity-controlled environment is recommended to prevent contamination and porosity.